An Early Farmhouse of Eastern Shinshu
The Sunohara Family Residence (Tobu Town, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture) (春原家住宅（長野県小県郡東部町）) is a thatched farmhouse of the late 17th century (around the Genroku era, 1688 to 1704) in Kano, Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 2, 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Tobu Town in the name is the former town, now part of Tomi City.
The Agency records a hipped thatched house 19.1 metres by 7.8 metres; designation number 01898.
An Old Farmhouse with a Large Earthen Floor
The Sunohara Family Residence shows clearly the character of farmhouses in southeastern Nagano (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is old among houses of its type: reconstructed to its original form, about half the house would have been an earth-floored work area, and the frame is archaic, with many posts standing inside.
Nagano Prefecture's cultural facilities guide dates it to around the Genroku era at the end of the 17th century and notes how large the earthen floor is compared with the rooms.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
As an early example of the farmhouse of southeastern Nagano, it was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 2, 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Notice the broad earthen floor and how many posts stand in it (Agency for Cultural Affairs), as well as the hipped thatched roof.
Visiting
Nagano Prefecture's cultural facilities guide says the house can be visited at any time, with no closing days, free admission and free parking. It is 15 minutes by car from Tanaka Station on the Shinano Railway, or 10 minutes from the Tobu-Yunomaru interchange of the Joshin-etsu Expressway; Tomi City's culture and sports office handles enquiries.
Q&A
- When was the Sunohara Family Residence built?
- Around the Genroku era at the end of the 17th century.
- Can I visit the Sunohara Family Residence?
- Yes, at any time and free of charge.
- What is special about the Sunohara Family Residence?
- About half of it was an earthen floor, with many posts in an archaic frame.
- How do I get to the Sunohara Family Residence?
- It is 15 minutes by car from Tanaka Station on the Shinano Railway.
- When was the Sunohara Family Residence (Tobu Town, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture) designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 2, 1973 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Sunohara Family Residence (Tobu Town, Chiisagata District, Nagano Prefecture) (春原家住宅（長野県小県郡東部町）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7192-1 Kano, Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1973/06/02 (Showa 48) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 19.1 m by 7.8 m, hipped thatched roof |
| Owner | Not listed in the Agency database |
| Public Access | Open at any time (free) |
References
- Sunohara Family Residence (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/978
- Sunohara Family Residence (Nagano Prefecture cultural facilities guide, Japanese)
- https://www.culture.nagano.jp/facilities/523/
Last verified: 2026.10.15